SourcingOct 24, 2022
This Jewelry Auction Is Raising Money for BIPOC Makers Events & AwardsDec 14, 2022
MJSA Announces Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge Winner
Finalist designs featured gemstones from Columbia Gem House and were auctioned off for charity.
Cady Carlson Dill of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Cady Carlson Designs had the winning design in this year’s MJSA Challenge, a competition produced in conjunction with Columbia Gem House and benefitting nonprofit organization Nest.
New York—Cady Carlson Dill of Cady Carlson Designs is the winner of the 2022 MJSA Challenge: Responsibly Sourced Design.
The competition doubles as a fundraiser, with finished jewelry entries auctioned off to benefit a charitable organization.
MJSA partnered with Columbia Gem House—a U.S.-based responsibly sourced colored gemstone supplier—on the competition and auction.
Every year, the challenge invites designers to create a jewel based on a fictional scenario.
This year, jewelry makers were asked to develop a design for a woman who was given up for adoption as a baby and reunites with her biological sister in adulthood.
Columbia Gem House donated metal and Oregon sunstone, Montana sapphire, Australian sapphire, and Brazilian citrine for designers to use in their final pieces.
Dill’s entry was a bolo-style necklace with an 8 mm Oregon sunstone at its center, surrounded by sapphires.
“I wanted to express their shared family history with the stones,” Dill said of her fictional sister clients. “The idea of family connections made me think of the double helix shape of DNA—I didn’t want to literally create that shape, but instead create something inspired by it.”
The bolo necklace represents two individuals coming together, the gemstones representing their unification.
Dill is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she designs with ethically sourced materials. Dill emphasizes recycling, often by reworking family heirlooms for her clients.
Dill’s piece, along with the other seven entries, were auctioned off to benefit nonprofit organization Nest. In all, they raised $7,000.
Nest aims to create a more inclusive and equitable world for artists, makers, and creatives.
The auction proceeds will specifically benefit Nest’s Makers United program, which will help one BIPOC jeweler scale their business.
“We wanted to select an organization that shared the beliefs of ethics and fairness, as well as [to] support those coming into the industry—particularly those who have traditionally had barriers to access,” says Natasha Braunwart, brand and corporate social responsibility manager of Columbia Gem House.
“The maker community is the lifeblood of this industry, and we wanted to find a way to collectively support equality in the future of the space. The synergy we found with the Nest team really made them the perfect fit to be the recipient of this year’s fundraiser.”
Columbia Gem House Founder and President Eric Braunwart added, “Participating in this project, whether it be designing, voting, or bidding, supports the well-being of the greater community within the gem and jewelry industry.
“It’s a reminder that the work you do can celebrate those around you and still make a positive impact.”
Related stories will be right here …
The competition doubles as a fundraiser, with finished jewelry entries auctioned off to benefit a charitable organization.
MJSA partnered with Columbia Gem House—a U.S.-based responsibly sourced colored gemstone supplier—on the competition and auction.
Every year, the challenge invites designers to create a jewel based on a fictional scenario.
This year, jewelry makers were asked to develop a design for a woman who was given up for adoption as a baby and reunites with her biological sister in adulthood.
Columbia Gem House donated metal and Oregon sunstone, Montana sapphire, Australian sapphire, and Brazilian citrine for designers to use in their final pieces.
Dill’s entry was a bolo-style necklace with an 8 mm Oregon sunstone at its center, surrounded by sapphires.
“I wanted to express their shared family history with the stones,” Dill said of her fictional sister clients. “The idea of family connections made me think of the double helix shape of DNA—I didn’t want to literally create that shape, but instead create something inspired by it.”
The bolo necklace represents two individuals coming together, the gemstones representing their unification.
Dill is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she designs with ethically sourced materials. Dill emphasizes recycling, often by reworking family heirlooms for her clients.
Dill’s piece, along with the other seven entries, were auctioned off to benefit nonprofit organization Nest. In all, they raised $7,000.
Nest aims to create a more inclusive and equitable world for artists, makers, and creatives.
The auction proceeds will specifically benefit Nest’s Makers United program, which will help one BIPOC jeweler scale their business.
“We wanted to select an organization that shared the beliefs of ethics and fairness, as well as [to] support those coming into the industry—particularly those who have traditionally had barriers to access,” says Natasha Braunwart, brand and corporate social responsibility manager of Columbia Gem House.
“The maker community is the lifeblood of this industry, and we wanted to find a way to collectively support equality in the future of the space. The synergy we found with the Nest team really made them the perfect fit to be the recipient of this year’s fundraiser.”
Columbia Gem House Founder and President Eric Braunwart added, “Participating in this project, whether it be designing, voting, or bidding, supports the well-being of the greater community within the gem and jewelry industry.
“It’s a reminder that the work you do can celebrate those around you and still make a positive impact.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
Weekly QuizAug 22, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
Policies & IssuesAug 21, 2025
JA, IDMA Talk Tariffs With Execs in DC The group met with the president's senior trade advisor earlier this week to express the industry’s concerns about the effects of tariffs.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Pops Up at 2025 US OpenThe pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.
IndependentsAug 20, 2025
Bellman’s Jewelers Opens Second Store After COO's TikTok Takes OffThe New Hampshire-based store has expanded to Boston, propelled by the success of Alex Bellman’s TikTok page, “The Truthful Jeweler.”
CrimeAug 20, 2025
Another CA Jewelry Store Rammed With Car, RobbedThe latest incident happened Monday at a store in Oakland, California, continuing a pattern JSA first warned about last month.
WatchesAug 20, 2025
Oris Launches Watch Benefiting NYC Harbor Oyster RestorationThe new aqua green New York Harbor Limited Edition II is the watchmaker’s second collaboration with the Billion Oyster Project.
SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
